Game # 48
Quinte West Pack 0 - Lindsay Muskies 1
February 9th, 2008 in Minden
Summary
Richard Nerland earned a shutout and Ryan Oliver got the only goal of the game as the Muskies edged out the Pack 1-0. Due to the municipal workers' strike in Lindsay, the game was played in Minden, the first time a home game had been played away from the Rec Complex since some games were scheduled in Woodville almost ten years ago. A good crowd of almost 300 took in the game, and it likely would have been more if the weather had been a bit more considerate of the fans in Lindsay wanting to travel. The game itself wasn't anything to write home to mom about but it was another win and the Muskies got through it without any injuries or suspensions, which is important with the playoffs just days away. The Fish's first 'home' game in the second season is likely to be back in Minden on Friday evening, starting at 8pm.
Period 1
The Muskies had the best of the play in the first period, and the majority of the scoring chances. Pack tender Jordan Tanner kept his team in the game with a string of good saves and a little luck. He made some fine stops with his glove but also gave up some nice rebounds that provoked scrambles in the Quinte West crease, with the goalie having to lie back on the ice at one point to cover a puck that had squirted under him. There was nothing that he could do about the goal at 16:29 though. Ryan Oliver burst down the left wing and fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner over Tanner's left shoulder. For their part in the build-up, Mike Wills and Trevor Mock got the assists. At the other end, Richard Nerland did everything that was asked of him by the Pack, although that wasn't a great deal.
Period 2
There was no change to the score in the second period, although both teams had good chances, with Cam Granger and Alex Fiset both having good chances to increase the lead. The closest the Pack came to asserting any real pressure on the Lindsay goal was when the Fish took too many penalties, including giving the visitors more than a minute of two man advantage. Even then, though, it was hard to remember many shots on Nerland that weren't fairly routine as the defence did a great job in keeping the chances to the outside.
Period 3
The Fish continued in the third with a workmanlike performance that was good enough to secure the win and the shut-out. Quinte West did get the puck into the net in the first minute of play but the sharp eye of referee Mark Sliwowicz spotted that it was kicked in and the celebrations were quickly muted. The Pack pulled Tanner to the bench for an extra forward with about 90 seconds to go but quickly had to put him back in when the Muskies forced a face-off in the Quinte West zone. The Fish then did a great job of keeping the play in the visitors' end and they weren't able to pull the goalie again until fewer than 15 seconds were left on the clock, which was far too late to achieve anything.
Box Score: Click here
Game Sheet: Click here
Photographs
Shayne Taylor watches as Cam Granger wins the draw.
This time Granger tries to beat Tanner but the goalie wins.
A laser-guided shot by Ryan Oliver finds the top corner and the Fish have the lead.
In the third period, Trevor Mock gets ready for a face-off, watched by Devon Jonson.
The Pack's #1 fan, Wayne, makes the long trip to Minden, complete with rubber chicken. His hair has been dyed ready for a charity shearing - if you see him, give him your support for a worthy cause.